"Buildings are for People". A critical analysis of architecture and the built environment, and green design and sustainability, in the context of Human Ecology and Human Ecological Theory. It offers a new approach for more effective design.

A fresh perspective on the design process.

An eye-opener, "Buildings Are for People" empowers design innovation, changing the way we think about design. It not only reveals how a building's surfaces, shape and materials 'interact' with people and the environment, but how to use these interactions to create people-friendly and environment-friendly architecture. "Buildings Are for People" presents a design methodology that scrutinizes each building interface from three perspectives:

1) The Physical – how building interfaces define space.2) The Sensible – how building interfaces afford experiences. 3) The Operative – how building interfaces create environmental interactions.

"Buildings Are for People" brings together the essence of both 'sustainable design' and 'experiential design'. Although sustainability and human welfare have become mainstream design intentions, our success in turning those intentions into human-friendly and sustainable buildings is far from reality. Sustainable and human-centered designs often fail to achieve their intended goal. As such, there is much dissatisfaction among architects and within the design/build profession, as well as the general public. To illuminate this problem, Caplan analyzes roadblocks to successful design by using built examples. Central to this focus, he provides a sobering dose of reality that addresses key issues in education, the design/build profession and the industry's institutions. With this foundation, "Buildings Are for People" lays out a holistic approach to inter-dependent design conception – Human Ecological Design. This meaningful methodology to improve the design process is thoughtfully presented with a fresh analytical perspective.

More than 120 author's photographs and drawings articulate the design methodology throughout the book. They provide a reader's-eye experience to illustrate the text and stimulate the senses.

"Buildings Are for People" is about designing people-friendly and environment-friendly architecture. It is addressed to architects, planners and policy makers – whether practitioner, educator or student. A great gift for both practicing and newly minted architects and interns, as well as urban planners. As one reader put it, "read this book first."

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